When Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season, many speculated he could return to the New England Patriots for another Super Bowl run, yet that never happened and it seemed like he was done with the game for good.
Then Tom Brady left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Gronkowski followed suit — a decision he does not regret as he gears up for season No. 2 since his retirement.
“It was a great decision and I’m definitely glad I’m still playing,” Gronkowski said, per ProFootballTalk. “It’s a grind at times, but overall it always pays off.”
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Gronkowski acknowledged earlier this year that he waited for Brady to leave the Patriots before returning to the NFL, which allowed the two to win another Super Bowl together with another team.
While Gronkowski seemingly had a more limited role in the Bucs offense last year, he still finished the season with seven touchdown catches and hauled in two scores in the Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
This season could be different, though, as Gronkowski has now had a full offseason to prepare and a better understanding of the Bucs playbook.
“I’ve been here all offseason and now for camp, and I feel like I’m doing a lot better this year, for sure,” Gronkowski said.
Part of the reason Gronkowski originally retired was due to the myriad injuries he sustained throughout his career, which will be another challenge for him this season.
“Conditioning wise, coming off a year and not playing, and then heading into a camp like this, it’s hard work,” he added. “… It’s night and day from where I was last year in training camp to where I am now.”
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